Monitoring the SessionHB 978
Filed
Initial review · graded Nov 9, 2026 · How we grade
relating to the punishment for the offense of arson involving a government building.
Caption from analyzed text · version I.
Second-degree becomes first-degree, same tier as homes and churches. Starts September 1, 2027.
The bill raises arson aimed at a government building from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. It touches people prosecuted for arson where the target was a government building, putting them in the same top tier already used for homes and places of worship or assembly. The higher penalty applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027.
Labels: BACK FROM THE DEAD. Same text as a bill filed before that died: 89R HB 2666 (Did not pass). Filed in 2 sessions, counting this one. Checked against 88R and 89R only.TRY NO. 2. Filed in 2 sessions: 89R and 90R. Checked against 88R and 89R only.
90R-HB978 · 2026-11-09
relating to the punishment for the offense of arson involving a government building.
Second-degree becomes first-degree, same tier as homes and churches. Starts September 1, 2027.
The bill raises arson aimed at a government building from a second-degree felony to a first-degree felony. It touches people prosecuted for arson where the target was a government building, putting them in the same top tier already used for homes and places of worship or assembly. The higher penalty applies only to offenses committed on or after September 1, 2027.
[ ] NONE FOUND
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
No verified beat found.
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CAMPAIGN PAID FOR BY
Not tied to this bill.
The author's campaign account only. Own money and internal transfers are separate on the member page.
Derived itemized flow · Nov 3, 2024 to Oct 21, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
$25,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Jun 24, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012375.
$25,000.00
Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 30, 2025 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101031736.
$22,500.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Jul 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100987242, 101012375, 101060151, 101072158.
Missing data does not establish zero giving. Display amounts are rounded.
$25,000.00
Also funds 44 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 24, 2025 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Jun 24, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101012375.
$25,000.00
Also funds 33 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jun 30, 2025 to Oct 22, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · on Oct 22, 2025. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 101031736.
$22,500.00
Also funds 137 other sitting lawmakers.
Derived recipient stock · Jul 24, 2024 to Oct 23, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
TEC account match.
TeamDerived itemized flow · Nov 25, 2024 to Jul 13, 2026. State data as of Nov 4, 2026.
Derived itemized contributions on live regular reports and uncovered special-session dates. Internal account transfers and daily reports are excluded.
Report IDs: 100987242, 101012375, 101060151, 101072158.
No floor vote loaded for this bill.
No fiscal note in the loaded record.
Analysis of text version I by a super-expensive superintelligence, Nov 9, 2026, against the published rubric.
Filed 2 times: 89R and now. Checked against 88R and 89R only.
by Rep. Virdell, same lead author · Did not pass · same text
Introduced textLast action, Apr 22, 2025: Committee report sent to Calendars
Relating to the punishment for the offense of arson involving a government building.
Caption, 89R bill history
Texas House · Filed Nov 9, 2026
11/09/2026 H Filed
Texas Legislature Online · Introduced
Data snapshot Nov 10, 2026 at 2:38 AM CST. Grades, charges, quotes and corrections follow the published record.
Crimes--Against Property
Criminal Procedure--Sentencing & Punishment
ARSON
The text as introduced · 230 words
90R239 JDK-D By: Virdell H.B. No. 978 A BILL TO BE ENTITLED AN ACT relating to the punishment for the offense of arson involving a government building. BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS: SECTION 1. Section 28.02(d), Penal Code, is amended to read as follows: (d) An offense under Subsection (a) is a felony of the second degree, except that the offense is a felony of the first degree if it is shown on the trial of the offense that: (1) bodily injury or death was suffered by any person by reason of the commission of the offense; or (2) the property intended to be damaged or destroyed by the actor was a : (A) government building; (B) habitation ; or (C) [ a ] place of assembly or worship. SECTION 2. The change in law made by this Act applies only to an offense committed on or after the effective date of this Act. An offense committed before the effective date of this Act is governed by the law in effect on the date the offense was committed, and the former law is continued in effect for that purpose. For purposes of this section, an offense was committed before the effective date of this Act if any element of the offense occurred before that date. SECTION 3. This Act takes effect September 1, 2027.